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Amazon announces Fire TV Stick for video streaming

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Woohoo! In Transit for Friday!

edit: I also see that my Fire TV Stick is already pre-linked to my account. On Prime Instant Video on my Kindle there is a new option: "Watch on Fire TV Stick (Currently Offline)". Can't wait to get it online.
 
Just got mine. I like it overall, and I think it may replace my Chromecast since I only cast YouTube on it. The software is pretty slick and I have all my basic apps on it which is great... The biggest plus here IMHO is it can be powered off your TV's USB port!
 
For the people who have it, is it as simple to use as Chromecast? Can it do phone mirroring on android phones? Is it any faster in loading or streaming?

I have a Chromecast now and really like it, but it's not compatible with Amazon Music, which I use primarily right now. I'd be willing to throw in 20 bucks for this, but In a house that's already suffering when it comes to open HDMI ports, I don't want to get another dongle unless it's really worth it.
 
Got mine today. As someone who has owned a FireTV since launch, this is very much the FireTV just in a smaller packed version of that. Not a bad thing, as we use our FireTV daily with Plex and XBMC.

FiredTV is a great UI replacement if you're not going to be heavily invested in the Amazon Prime environment, as it will allow you to put icons for apps you sideload on the main screen (I'm assuming all of this will still work at this point, seing how similar it is to the FireTV, but haven't had time to try any of it yet.

This thing with XBMC loaded will be an amazing streaming device though.
 
Shin Johnpv said:
Does it support the popular formats too? Or only specific ones?
Click to expand...

You can sideload any Android app on to it, so the answer is yes. I think there may be some performance issues if you try to use VC1 encoded videos, it won't play HD audio formats like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA, and 10bit encoded videos are too processor intensive, but for the most part, it'll play most things. I just install XBMC and don't look back.
 
allegate said:
Does this mean I can stop using Plex's transcoding and can start just streaming files from the computer?
Click to expand...

Yes.

First impressions seem to indicate that the Fire TV Stick runs XBMC / Kodi beautifully. THECOACH0742 over at the Fire TV subreddit says a 40GB high bitrate 1080p movie file “started playing instantly over wifi with no frame drops or skipping.”
Click to expand...
 
Marty Chinn said:
You can sideload any Android app on to it, so the answer is yes. I think there may be some performance issues if you try to use VC1 encoded videos, it won't play HD audio formats like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA, and 10bit encoded videos are too processor intensive, but for the most part, it'll play most things. I just install XBMC and don't look back.
Click to expand...

Ohh snap, that makes my pre-order of it a damn good thing and I won't cancel it. Still a December 10th delivery date for me.
 
giga said:
So how does XBMC on the FireTV connect to my video library? Plex has their media server, but XBMC…? SMB? AFP?

Also, how's this? http://www.jocala.com/adbfire.html
Click to expand...

I just bought a FireTV for XBMC but it sounds like I can use a Firestick the same way. I run plex server basically because of the mobile access and run plexBMC on the FireTV. This is my first go around with XBMC but the answer is however you have your media stored there is a way to access it beautifully through xbmc.

ADBfire works really well and is simple to use if you don't want to deal with terminal.
 
giga said:
So how does XBMC on the FireTV connect to my video library? Plex has their media server, but XBMC…? SMB? AFP?
Click to expand...

XBMC has multiple ways of talking to a network file share. It can do UPnP, NFS, SMB and so forth. I had to check to see if it supported AFP and it has some support for it, but they claim not to use it since it's kinda broken at the moment. I use SMB currently.

Also, how's this? http://www.jocala.com/adbfire.html
Click to expand...

That's just a simple gui interface to hide the terminal commands from you. It'll get you by on the basic things, but you may need to use adb on a command line if you want to do some other things. It'll get the job done for the things it offers in the interface. Honestly, using the terminal isn't that hard either since there are really well done tutorials out there and to accomplish anything, it takes very few commands. Usually no more than two or three.
 
Wow, this thing is faster than I expected.

Transition from app to app is as smooth. Loading movies from my Plex server is about as fast as my custom built PC.
 
It looks like both Best Buy and Staples will have this for $25 starting Sunday. My FireTV has been great, so I may have to recommend this to a few friends.
 
Initially my stick was supposed to arrive Dec. 3rd. Got an email earlier this week saying new date is Nov. 25. And this morning got a email saying it shipped and arriving tomorrow :)
 
Any bluetooth mouses that work with the stick? Getting mine today and if can get slingbox app working on it, this thing will be the complete package for me.
 
phalestine said:
Initially my stick was supposed to arrive Dec. 3rd. Got an email earlier this week saying new date is Nov. 25. And this morning got a email saying it shipped and arriving tomorrow :)
Click to expand...

Lucky. Mine was originally supposed to be December 22 and is still December 22. Looks like I may just go to Best But Sunday and cancel the one from Amazon.
 
Yeah. Every Best Buy in my area shows them in stock as well. Amazing that Amazon could stock every Best Buy in the nation but couldn't manage to fulfill orders for people who already paid them.
 
Nabs said:
It looks like both Best Buy and Staples will have this for $25 starting Sunday. My FireTV has been great, so I may have to recommend this to a few friends.
Click to expand...
I saw a whole bunch at my local store last night. I guess I'll get mine next month still, but the savings are worth it.

Seeing that the UI is virtually the same, I wonder if Amazon will even release another another FireTV, or if they'll just put all their eggs in the Stick basket. It's been 8 months since it released and the whole "Amazon Games Studio" thing hasn't been heard from at all.
 
Cheetos is Pretty Awesome said:
Just got mine. I like it overall, and I think it may replace my Chromecast since I only cast YouTube on it. The software is pretty slick and I have all my basic apps on it which is great... The biggest plus here IMHO is it can be powered off your TV's USB port!
Click to expand...

Sweet! I was wondering if this functionality would work because they never mentioned that it could be powered via the USB port. Mine should be arriving today.
 
Not sure what to do with this so far other than upgrade from my Roku LT. I guess it'll be a snappier experience and should support things like the newer Netflix UI. I'm on Prime, so the file caching should speed up that prices too. I'm not currently in a position to do home file streaming (or even 1080p) so those features will have to wait. But for $20, I couldn't pass it up :P
 
TMC said:
Sweet! I was wondering if this functionality would work because they never mentioned that it could be powered via the USB port. Mine should be arriving today.
Click to expand...

My Chromecast is powered via the TV's Service USB port as well. It's nice, because it means as soon as I turn on the TV, the Chromecast turns on.
 
Ecrofirt said:
My Chromecast is powered via the TV's Service USB port as well. It's nice, because it means as soon as I turn on the TV, the Chromecast turns on.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have a Chromecast as well. I don't even know why I buy these things since I already have a smart TV that functions perfectly. I mostly use the Chromecast for mirroring my phone if necessary. I just remember reading something on the product page that mentioned it requiring AC power and that it could not be powered from the USB port on the TV. Great news.

I am hoping to get a cheap 40-42" set for the bedroom so the Fire Stick will be perfect for it.
 
Seth C said:
Lucky. Mine was originally supposed to be December 22 and is still December 22. Looks like I may just go to Best But Sunday and cancel the one from Amazon.
Click to expand...

I'd wait a little bit, I guarantee you it'll arrive way before the 22nd. Unless you didn't get that prime pricing, then you got nothing to lose.

edit - If you're waiting until Sunday, might as well go to Staples. It'll be 24.99 there. And you can find some staple coupons pretty easy to make it cheaper.
edit2 - Nvm, looks like BBY is also on sale on sunday
 
phalestine said:
Initially my stick was supposed to arrive Dec. 3rd. Got an email earlier this week saying new date is Nov. 25. And this morning got a email saying it shipped and arriving tomorrow :)
Click to expand...

Same. I called CS and they upgraded me to overnight shipping at no charge, since I'm traveling out of town on the 25th.

<3 Amazon CS :-D
 
phalestine said:
I'd wait a little bit, I guarantee you it'll arrive way before the 22nd. Unless you didn't get that prime pricing, then you got nothing to lose.

edit - If you're waiting until Sunday, might as well go to Staples. It'll be 24.99 there. And you can find some staple coupons pretty easy to make it cheaper.
edit2 - Nvm, looks like BBY is also on sale on sunday
Click to expand...

I got the Prime pricing but it's only $5 more at Best Buy, and I have $10 in rewards certificates anyway.
 
Got mine! Already have xbmc up and running. This will be replacing my chromecast. Having the remote really makes it wife friendly. For $20 it's a steal.
 
hom3land said:
Got mine! Already have xbmc up and running. This will be replacing my chromecast. Having the remote really makes it wife friendly. For $20 it's a steal.
Click to expand...

Yeah, just set up the chromecast and then tried to explain things to the wife, and she's like 'I have to use my phone? What apps do I have to have?'

So I got this for 19 bucks and there is no need for explanation for her.
 
Went to install Plex and saw that the amazon app store doesn't even have the latest version. And it's more expensive than the Google Play version. Come on guys. That's my incentive right there to just use XBMC instead.
 
got mine; not sure I want to use xbmc or not but do you need to root it? and if so, is it safe to set up for now or is there an update that will break it
 
giga said:
Went to install Plex and saw that the amazon app store doesn't even have the latest version. And it's more expensive than the Google Play version. Come on guys. That's my incentive right there to just use XBMC instead.
Click to expand...

Amazon definitely needs to speed up their approval process. The Play version is only cheaper because it's currently on sale.
 
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